Former Australian Senator Lisa Singh joins fight to eradicate modern slavery

Modern slavery organisation Walk Free today announced the appointment of former Australian Senator Lisa Singh as Head of Government Advocacy in the Australia-Pacific region.

Ms Singh will lead Walk Free’s pursuit for tougher modern slavery legislation and drive the organisation’s advocacy with governments in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ms Singh was first elected to the Australian Senate in 2010, representing Tasmania. During her term Ms Singh served as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Water.

In 2017, she was Deputy-Chair of Parliament’s Joint Committee on Law Enforcement which reported on Human Trafficking. Ms Singh was also a key member of the parliamentary committee that recommended a Modern Slavery Act in Australia.

Grace Forrest, Co-founder and Director of Walk Free, welcomed Ms Singh to the team.

“Lisa has a long history working in the human rights space and shares our passion for ending injustice,” Ms Forrest said.

“Lisa has advocated for an end to human trafficking and slavery for many years and we are delighted she has joined the Walk Free team.

“As the world reels from COVID-19, it is more important than ever for governments to take strong action to protect their people against exploitation. There is no question the effects of the pandemic have been devastating, but tens of millions of people living in conditions of modern slavery is also a global crisis.”

Ms Singh was the first woman of South Asian descent to be elected to the Australian Parliament, and is a strong advocate for women’s rights, international development, refugees and the importance of the Asian diaspora in Australia’s future prosperity. She has worked on the ground with governments, NGOs, and vulnerable groups around the world, including sex trafficking survivors in India, and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

“I’m proud to join Walk Free at such a critical time,” Ms Singh said.

“Walk Free is an international human rights organisation leading the world in the fight to end modern slavery. It’s a privilege to be part of such a committed team, driven to end modern slavery in our lifetime. 

“Real progress on modern slavery can only be achieved if governments, businesses and civil society work together to achieve systemic change. I want to be part of that change.”

In addition to her time in politics, Ms Singh also directed non-government organisation, the Tasmanian Working Women’s Centre. The Centre worked to provide resources and support for migrant women to safeguard against workplace exploitation.